Such a beautiful city, and the Parisians take such care with all the little details of presentation! You can't look anywhere without finding something extraordinary. But then, I was there in early May, which couldn't be lovelier. Looks like you enjoyed your visit.

Rosie, you too? I can't say they are a passion of mine, but I see them as something so common in Europe since the Renaissance. The Rococo painted cherubs and angels on ornate ceilings and walls are too saccharine for my taste but I admire these street sculptures for their craftmanship and because it's all so different from home... and that's what makes travel so interesting, eh.

I have a small gilded lion's head from the Buckingham Palace gate. I touched it with a timid child's finger because it was beautiful and when it fell I caught it, transfixed and terrified that the Guards would take me away. My uncle saw what happened and wrapped it up in his raincoat.